"Place Jacques-Cartier"
Old Montreal Tip by zChris

The beautiful <b>Place Jaques-Cartier</b> is located in the heart of Vieux-Montreal between rue Notre-Dame and rue de la Commune, providing an inviting public space which heads downhill from rue Notre-Dame and l'Hotel de Ville to the Vieux-Port. The square is pedestrianised and is lined with historic 17th, 18th, and 19th century buildings, many of which are excellent restaurants. Among other things the Place features gardens, street performers, and many artists at work. The Place is the perfect jumping off place for other Vieux-Montréal attractions, with the Hotel de Ville and Chateau Ramezay just off it on rue Notre-Dame, the tiny rue St-Amable (rue des Artistes) an alley filled with artists' wares, off of it, the Marché Bonsecours nearby on rue St-Paul, and the Vieux-Port at its base. At the head of the Place, where it meets Rue Notre-Dame, is a column dedicated to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who destroyed Napoleon's fleet at Alexandria. Surprisingly, it was not put up by the British colonial government but by the francophone merchants, who were no fans of Napoleon's exploits.